Written By: Amanda Policastro
Want to know what it’s like for an up and coming country star pursuing her dream in the Big Apple? She has a new single and video out titled, “Weather the Storm” and a new album being released soon. Take a look at singer/songwriter Molly Brown.
upfrontNY: What’s it like pursuing country music in New York? Would you consider a move to Nashville?
Molly Adele Brown: I grew up in New York, just outside of the city, so it was a natural progression for me to migrate into the city to pursue my music. I love living and working there! I teamed up with songwriters Nefertiti Jones and Jimi Bones two years ago and jumped into the New York City grind. There is a different pace in New York and it’s in my blood. Last summer I went into the studio with fellow performer Nicole Trubish and along with JonesBones Productions we wrote, produced and mastered a song in less than 7 days – talk about a whirlwind! That being said it is a little more difficult to reach the country audience from New York. Nashville is the heart of country music and I can certainly see myself moving down there but for now I have the best of both worlds. I go down to Nashville about once a month to meet with different writers and producers while still keeping my main home base in New York.
upfrontNY: I know you have a love for Luke Bryan. If you could duet with him which song would you choose?
Molly Adele Brown: It would be fun to do a classic country duet with him like “Jackson” by Johnny Cash & June Carter or “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers but honestly I would be content onstage dancing alongside Luke Bryan to “Country Girl Shake it for Me”! That is one of my favorites! He is a true performer that has the ability to set the tone no matter who the audience or where the venue. He engages his audience making every show an experience, you feel like you are with him at a party!
upfrontNY: Is “Weather the Storm” based on a true story?
Molly Adele Brown: “Weather the Storm” is based on every serviceman and woman’s story, not one specific story. I just feel like we can’t say “Thank You” enough to the people who put their lives on the line every day to defend our freedom. The inspiration for this song came one evening while I was watching news coverage on yet another incident overseas that involved the tragic loss of life and I just kept thinking “Everything seemed so simple back in the day”. That one line was what crafted the rest of the song.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your latest LP album, “Red, White and Booze”.
Molly Adele Brown: “Red, White and Booze” was the first album that I produced with JonesBones Productions. Every song was co-written with Nefertiti Jones and Jimi Bones. The collaboration started while I was still in college and they loved and encouraged that spunky side of me. We carefully crafted 4 songs that we thought would speak to the young, college crowd that I was a part of. “Chug” is a great college anthem, it basically talks about getting ready for a frat party! Now that I am post-college I am looking at my brand a little differently. I’m still trying to keep my “fun-loving, spunky, party vibe” while also looking to grow into a mature artist. It’s exciting and a little scary at the same time.
upfrontNY: What can we expect from your next album?
Molly Adele Brown: My next album is going to be a compilation of 6 songs; some new, some re-mastered, with a fun unexpected cover thrown in to mix things up. Along with my JonesBones collaborations I have written a new song with Jonathon Edwards and Mike Phares out of Nashville. That song is called “Perfectly Lonely” and is about being content with where you are in life as it relates to relationships. That is definitely a reflection of me growing up! This album is being produced in Nashville so it’s got even more of a country flare, which I love. Recording down there has given me a better insight into the direction of “new school” country music. All in all, I’m really excited about this project and the direction that I’m heading. As I said earlier, I’m looking to keep my brand intact as I take it to the next level. I continue to grow and mature as an artist every day.
upfrontNY: You have a love for coffee shops, is there any one in particular in NYC that you would recommend to someone visiting the city?
Molly Adele Brown: I LOVE COFFEE!! Yes, I am sipping a dark roast as I answer these questions!! There are plenty of great, local coffee shops in New York but I have to say my favorite is Dtut. What I love about this spot is that it has the most cozy feel with great music, no headphones needed (unless of course I am listening to new mixes or searching new artists). Another secret about this spot is that after 5:00 pm it turns into a bar! After working on your computer all day you don’t have to go far to start your Happy Hour, how can you beat that??
upfrontNY: What do you believe separates you from other country performers when you’re on stage?
Molly Adele Brown: I believe that one of my strengths is my stage presence. I LOVE performing and being on stage, it is so much fun. I am not afraid to take a risk and I am not afraid to be imperfect. While I take my music and my career very seriously, I work hard on it every day, I don’t take myself that seriously. I’m a little quirky and my goal is for my audience to have fun along with me. I’m also very driven and passionate about what I do, that fire inside keeps me going no matter what challenges are in front of me and I think that translates to my live performances.
upfrontNY: When you aren’t singing or writing songs what do you like to do?
Molly Adele Brown: I love to ski, both on the slopes and on the water! When I was 4 years old my Dad put me on little pink, plastic skis and I was attached to a harness while he skied behind me. I was hooked and was soon bombing down the slopes of Mt. Snow, Vermont on my own. A year or two later he bought a small set of water skis, basically the size of large planks and I was up and going on the water. I remember how excited I was when I was finally able to “drop a ski” and slalom on one ski around the bay. Whether skiing down a mountain or across a body of water I love the feeling of moving fast with the wind in your face, it makes me happy!
upfrontNY: Who inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Molly Adele Brown: My Family! I grew up watching my parents grow their construction business from the ground up. I watched both my sisters pursue careers in what they love. I love to perform and was originally planning to pursue a career in the theatre, I was Broadway Bound! I am still a theater geek but while in college (and after a chance meeting with Nefertiti Jones) my country music career was born and I haven’t looked back. I know it sounds cliché but my family supported me and encouraged me to follow my dream, there was never a question of “What is your back up plan”? My Dad once said to me “If you have a back up plan then you won’t succeed – you just need to work hard and never give up”. I lost my Dad the summer I graduated from high school and those words have stayed with me ever since. He loved what he did and he made me realize that if you are doing something you love then you are successful in more ways than one.
upfrontNY: If you could compare your sound to any artist, who would it be?
Molly Adele Brown: I would say I’m a compilation of a few artists. Let’s say you take Kacey Musgraves personality, mix it with a dash of Miranda Lambert’s attitude and a pinch of Carrie Underwood’s heart, then you will get me! But more importantly I’m hoping to create my own sound that will speak to an audience so I can continue to do what I love….
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